Ascent Trip Report

Got very late start driving down from Seattle. Sunny when started but 45 minutes in clouds hit. Trail totally obscured by snow and very hard to follow. Another 30 minutes in, darkness fell and snow started at same time. Turned on headlamps. Soon totally lost trail. About 40 minutes later started wandering in circles. Found snow-free site under trees on little ridge. Set up tent. Next day set out for Crescent Glacier. Whiteout hit within 10 minutes. Brutal wind, horizontal snow, 15 yards visibility. Struggled up almost to glacier then decided to turn around. Made way back to tent following snow-filled boot prints. Waited out blizzard, broke camp. Lost trail on way down and added 90 minutes to descent. Drove to Portland in total downpour and spent night in hotel. Great Mexican food at Chez Jose's.